By Alan Duffy
Transfer Balls: Rounding up the day’s football tittle-tattle so you don’t have to…
Big Guns Going For A Song
After a decent season with West Ham, Alex Song has piqued the interest of both Chelsea and Manchester City, according to the Mail. The Cameroon midfielder qualifies as a homegrown player (after joining Arsenal at just 17 years of age back in 2005), and with both the Blues and Citizens needing to boost their own homegrown numbers, the 27-year-old would make a decent squad member.
Still owned by Barcelona, Song would be available for £6million, but I’m not convinced the anchorman has the quality either Jose Mourinho or Manuel Pellegrini wants or needs.
Hummels Pummels Man Utd Deal
According to the Mail (via Bild), Mats Hummels has decided against a move to Manchester UNited after all. The Borussia Dortmund defender was apparently all set for a move to Old Trafford in the summer, but now the £37million-rated World Cup winner has decided to stay at the Westfalenstadion. The club’s Sporting Director, Michael Zorc, said: “It made sense that Mats was thinking about his future, but I always pointed out that we plan (for the future) with him.”
Man Utd boss Louis van Gaal, who is eager to strengthen his backline, may now go for Valencia’s £36m-rated Nicolas Otamendi.
Reds Vying For Vidal
One of the stars of Max Allegri’s all-conquering Juventus side, Arturo Vidal is now a target for Liverpool, according to the Metro. Brendan Rodgers’ considers the Chilean midfielder to be the perfect replacement for his departing captain, Steven Gerrard, with an offer of £14,4million already submitted. However, not surprisingly, Juve want rather more for the 27-year-old all-action star, with around £25million touted as the requisite price.
It’s reported that the Old Lady are open to selling Vidal, but with his side currently dominating in Italy and now a force in Europe once again, one wonders if he’d be willing to give that up with no Champions League football guaranteed at Anfield.
Hornets Buzzing For Mariappa
Premier League new-boys Watford are hoping to bring Adrian Mariappa back to Vicarage Road, according to the Mirror. The versatile defender has struggled to get playing time with Crystal Palace this season, and with the player apparently only a few games away from triggering a payment to former club Reading, the Eagles may be willing to offload the 27-year-old.
Mariappa began his career with the Hornets, making 247 appearances for the club, and would add a bit more Premier League experience to Slavisa Jokanovic’s side. This one looks reasonably likely.
The best/worst of the rest:
Tottenham are looking to hold on to Erik Lamela this summer, Chelsea are once again linked with Christian Benteke and Manchester City step up their efforts to bag Saido Berahino.